The West Australian Ballet have announced that Kevin Jackson, Principal of the Australian Ballet will join the cast of their acclaimed production of Giselle due to dancer Matthew Lehmann having a foot injury.
For an exclusive week of Giselle, Perth-born Jackson, will provide cover for counter-part Lehmann, dancing in the highly technical and specialised role as prince-in-disguise Albrecht with West Australian Ballet Soloist Dayana Hardy Acuña performing the title part of Giselle.
Jackson, whose distinguished career saw him promoted to Principal of The Australian Ballet in 2010, has perfomred many of the greatest roles in the classical repertoire such as Spartacus in Spartacus (2018), Prince Désiré in David McAllister’s The Sleeping Beauty (2015), Vaslav Nijinsky in John Neumeier’s Nijinsky (2016), Onegin and Lenksy in John Cranko’s Onegin (2012), Prince Siegfried in Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake (2014, 2013, 2009) and importantly Albrecht in Maina Gielgud’s Giselle (2015).
The West Australian Ballet’s Artistic Director Aurélien Scannella says while it’s exciting to see Jackson perform in his hometown, the requirement of a cover comes through the need for more dancers in the company.
“I’m excited to see Kevin returning to Perth in what was my favourite role as a dancer, Albrecht in Giselle, it will be the coming together of two of Australia’s world-class dance companies on-stage at His Majesty’s that ballet lovers and the uninitiated alike should bear witness to,” said Scannella.
Jackson, who appears courtesy of The Australian Ballet and their Perth-born Artistic Director David McAllister, will debut as a Guest Artist with West Australian Ballet on Wednesday 18 September, preparing to wow the WA audience with his natural physicality and highly regarded technical prowess. Further performances will be announced via West Australian Ballet’s social channels and website.
OIP Staff
